RipLip Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 I have a Minn Kota trollling 46lb thrust transom mount motor for my canoe and it has slowed down a lot in the past years. I bought a new one this year before I took this one apart because I didn't want to rely on myself getting it back together correctly. Anyways what I have notice while messing with it is that it goes as fast as new when I reverse the battery connections and run the reverse gears as forward. My question is if anyone has had the same problem and if they have figured out why. I think maybe the forward gears have worn out or have collected enough crap that they aren't turning as easily. I haven't taken the powerhead apart yet but I think I'll just explore through it before getting rid of it. I'd hate to throw it out because it would make for a good back up or a good borrower for my friends. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clamboni Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 There's no actual gears in the lower unit. The lower unit is just a housing for an electric motor. When you have it in reverse, the switch reverses the polarity and the actual motor turns in the opposite direction. Did you check to make sure that when you turn the handle that it actually is turning the switch all the way? Sounds to me like this is the problem. If you're getting full speed forward with reversed polarity and the handle in reverse, The motor is still getting the juice it needs to turn at full speed. Also, how old are the batteries? Old batteries won't hold as much of a charge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RipLip Posted August 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 When I turned the switch on I can feel all 5 clicks so I think all the modes or speeds work. When I have the polarity reversed I have all 3 reverse speeds that work like new. I tested my battery and it is fine but it is now my backup so with my new battery the motor still does the same thing. The weird thing is when I turned the forward speeds from 1-5 I can't tell any difference in speeds but in reverse you can tell the difference from speeds. Do you think that the windings or something have failed within the motor? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
haulinbass227 Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 If The Motor Runs Full Speed In Reverse There Should Be Nothing Wrong With The Windings Or The Motor. Sounds Like Your Problem Is In The Handle Area Where Your Switches Are Or In The Wiring Going Down To The Motor. My Guess Would Be Corrosion On The Contacts In The Handle. Good Luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RipLip Posted August 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 In theory that's correct. I took the head unit apart a while ago to replace the bracket on the shaft so maybe something happened since then. I'll take it apart and check all the connections hopefully this weekend. If it finally stops raining up here I'll go fishing instead but I'll definitely check it out the next chance I get. Thanks for the advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JSC Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 Just a thought .... have you checked the prop shaft to see if mono or what have you maybe wrapped around it ?? May be tighter going forward .. loosens up in reverse .... JSC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RipLip Posted August 8, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 JSC, good thought and I hope your right in a way and wrong in another. I haven't checked the prop in a couple of seasons. On one hand if your right that is sweet because it is a easy fix. On the other hand I will be kicking myself in the for buying a new motor because of something like that. Thanks I will check that out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clamboni Posted August 8, 2008 Report Share Posted August 8, 2008 When I turned the switch on I can feel all 5 clicks so I think all the modes or speeds work. When I have the polarity reversed I have all 3 reverse speeds that work like new. I tested my battery and it is fine but it is now my backup so with my new battery the motor still does the same thing. The weird thing is when I turned the forward speeds from 1-5 I can't tell any difference in speeds but in reverse you can tell the difference from speeds. Do you think that the windings or something have failed within the motor? Thanks You have a bad switch. The switch is actually like a capacitor. The further you turn the handle, the more power the capacitor lets through. Replace that switch and you should be just fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RipLip Posted August 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 Well I pulled the prop off this weekend and all was good. Besides the prop having a couple war wounds I think it is safe to say that isn't the problem. Clamboni, thanks for the help I will call the tech line where I purchased the shaft bracket and order one of those switches up. All the other parts I got in the spring weren't that expensive so hopefully the switch is reasonable also. Thanks everyone for the help and I'll let you know if this fixes it right up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CreekMonster Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 Here's another thought. I recently did this with mine because I use it more at the front of the boat, but if you don't mind less speeds and don't want to buy a switch, you can turn the head 180 degrees and basically make the "reverse" speeds "forward". It does sound like the handle switch is the problem though. Just my Jay Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clamboni Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 Here's another thought. I recently did this with mine because I use it more at the front of the boat, but if you don't mind less speeds and don't want to buy a switch, you can turn the head 180 degrees and basically make the "reverse" speeds "forward". It does sound like the handle switch is the problem though. Just my Jay Definitely not a bad idea. Though if you're using it as a secondary motor for moving from spot to spot, I'd personally just reverse the polarity and put it on high in reverse.......that way you still get the full thrust in forward. If you're running the motor on high in reverse, it's not nearly as efficient. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KcDano Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 (edited) . Edited August 12, 2008 by KcDano Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KcDano Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 If the speed switch is bad then you wouldn't have all the speeds in forward or reverse. The switch that handles reverse and forward changes the polarity on poles of the speed switch I would investigate more before buying anything Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clamboni Posted August 13, 2008 Report Share Posted August 13, 2008 If it's one of the newer motors with 5 fwd and 3 reverse speeds, the speed and polarity switch is one part. It's actually a 9 position switch. One for off, 5 forward, 3 reverse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KcDano Posted August 13, 2008 Report Share Posted August 13, 2008 That can't be cheap! He might try swapping the the wires to get the the forward speeds at the cost of sacrificing the reverse Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hazmail Posted August 14, 2008 Report Share Posted August 14, 2008 Gee you guys have got me worried, after many years of 'denial' and the thought of another 150Lb of weight , I have just bought a 55. pete Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
